Teasing comb

ABSTRACT

A comb for teasing hair during the preparation of a coiffure. The comb includes a cylinder having at least one row of teeth projecting radially therefrom. One embodiment includes a motor which is housed in the handle of the comb to rotatably drive the cylinder thereof. Placing the rotating cylinder of the comb adjacent a plurality of strands of hair is effective to cause the teeth to engage the strands of hair and to disengage the strands of hair with each rotation thereof. The teeth have an arcuate profile with the outer ends thereof being directed away from the direction of rotation to assure that the ends of the teeth slip freely from the hair to preclude entanglement therewith, thus minimizing the damage to the hair in the teasing process which normally pulls and breaks many strands of hair. The non-power driven embodiment of the comb includes a handle which facilitates manual turning of the cylinder when desired as the comb is caused to pass through the hair.

United States Patent [1 1 Miller TEASING COMB [76] Inventor: Benjamin L.Miller, 4523 Jamaica, Memphis, Tenn.

[22] Filed: June 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 262,022

[52] U.S. Cl ..132/11 R [51] Int. Cl A45d 24/00 [58] Field of Search132/11 R, 159-160, 132/161, 122, 134, 137-139, 150-151; 128/56 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,819,433 8/1931 Miller 132/1393,459,199 8/1969 Connell 132/11 R 3,302,654 2/1967 Scamman 132/1221,042,940 10/1912 McConnell.... 132/134 2,829,656 4/1958 Pecovsky132/122 952,491 3/1910 Youngs 132/159 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS954,436 6/1949 France 132/150 1 Aug. 7, 1973 Primary ExaminerLouis G;Mancene Assistant ExaminerGregory E. McNeill Attorney-John R. Walker,111

[57] ABSTRACT A comb for teasing hair during the preparation of acoiffure. The comb includes a cylinder having at least one row of teethprojecting radially therefrom. One embodiment includes a motor which ishoused in the handle of the comb to rotatably drive the cylinderthereof. Placing the rotating cylinder of the comb adjacent a pluralityof strands of hair is effective to cause the teeth to engage the strandsof hair and to disengage the strands of hair with each rotation thereof.The teeth have an arcuate profile with the outer ends thereof beingdirected away from the direction of rotation to assure that the ends ofthe teeth slip freely from the hair to preclude entanglement therewith,thus minimizing the damage to the hair in the teasing process whichnormally pulls and breaks many strands of hair. The nonpower drivenembodiment of the comb includes a handle which facilitates manualturning of the cylinder when desired as the comb is caused to passthrough the hair.

8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTED M18 SM 1 0F 2 WWW TEASING COMBBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to the field of teasing combs.

2. Description of the Prior Art A preliminary patentability searchrevealed the following U.S. Patents: Spillers US Pat. No. 3,204,469;Sawin US. Pat. No. 3,349,782; Rankin US. Pat. No. 3,373,739; PaccioneUS. Pat. No. 3,384,096; Roberts et al. US Pat. No. 3,386,453; andMagguilli U.S. Pat. No. 3,421,522. None of the above patents show orsuggest applicants device. However, it should be pointed out thatcertain of the above patents, e.g., No. 3,204,469 depend upon travelinga straight comb in an elliptical path so that the teeth are movingsubstantially perpendicular to the strands of hair when entering andleaving the strands of hair and travel a distance substantially parallelwith the strands of hair while accomplishing the teasing process.Additionally, other of the above patents, e.g., No. 3,386,453, dependupon a retracting action of the teeth to strip the strands of hair fromthe teeth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The concept of the present invention is toprovide a teasing comb for teasing hair during the preparation of acoiffure. The comb includes a cylinder having at least one row of teethprojecting radially therefrom. One embodiment includes a motor which ishoused in the handle of the comb to rotatably drive the cylinder aboutthe longitudinal axis thereof. Several embodiments of the comb aredisclosed, one of which includes alternate rows of primary and secondaryteeth arranged about the circumference of the cylinder. This laterembodiment of the cylinder preferably is fixedly attached to a handle tofacilitate manual turning about the longitudinal axis thereof.

The primary teeth have an arcuate profile with the outer ends thereofbeing directed away from the direction of rotation to assure that theends of the teeth slip freely from the hair to preclude entanglementtherewith. More specifically, the free ends of the primary teeth trailthe root ends as the cylinder is caused to turn about the longitudinalaxis thereof, i.e., in the preferred direction of rotation.

The secondary row of teeth is disposed substantially parallel with theprimary row of teeth; however, the secondary teeth are staggered withrespect to the primary teeth. Additionally, the secondary teeth arestraight and preferably are disposed along extensions of radii of thecylinder.

The objects and/or advantages of a power-driven hair teasing comb arewell identified or defined and enumerated in certain of theabove-referenced patents, e.g., the Nos. 3,349,782; 3,386,453; and3,421,522. It should be noted that the foremost advantages are: First,less fatigue is experienced by the beauty operator; secondly, thepower-driven comb accomplishes the same task in considerably less time.These advantages are further enhanced by peculiar structure as hereindisclosed.

The principal embodiment of the teasing comb of the I present inventionpreferably has three rows or more rows of primary teeth symmetricallyarranged about the circumference of the cylinder. The motor is housed inthe handle of this embodiment to facilitate manipulation of the comb.Placing this embodiment of the comb adjacent a plurality of strands ofhair is effective to cause the teeth to engage the strands of hair andto disengage the strands of hair with each rotation thereof.

The teeth of the comb of the principal embodiment preferably are shorterthan the radius of the cylinder body. These features result in theteasing comb of the present invention, minimizing the damage to 'thehair in the teasing process which normally heretofore, even whenstraight combs are used, pulls and breaks many strands of hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view ofthe principal embodiment of the teasing comb of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken as on the line II-Il of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the principal embodiment of the comb of thepresent invention depicting a preferred direction of rotation andshowing the comb actively engaged in teasing a plurality of strands ofhair.

FIG. 4 depicts a second embodiment of the main body member.

FIG. 5 depicts a third embodiment of the main body member.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational'view of a fourth embodiment of the teasingcomb.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken as on the line VII- -VII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken as on the line VIII- --VIII of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the fourth embodiment of the teasing comb ofthe present invention shown being passed through several strands ofhair.

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 except the comb is shown being rotatedabout the longitudinal axis thereof while being passed through severalstrands of hair.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS referring first to theprincipal embodiment of the teasing comb 11 shown in FIGS. 1 3, comb IIincludes a cylinder-like main body member 13 having at least one row ofteeth 15 projecting radially therefrom. This embodiment of the comb 11preferably has three rows of teeth, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ofthe drawings with the first row being character referenced by thenumeral 15, the second row being referenced by the numeral 15', and thethird row being character referenced by the numeral 15".

An electric motor 17 is included and has one end of a power cord 19suitably attached thereto with the other end of the power cord 19 beingsuitably fitted with a typical male plug 21. The plug 21 is intended tobe received in any convenient power outlet, e.g., volts or the like. Itwill be understood that if desired any source of electricity such as abattery, not shown, may be used in place of an AC power source. Themotor 17 includes a rotatably driven output shaft 23 which is suitablyattached to the main body member 13 as by embedding the output shaft inthe main body. Therefore, energizing the motor 17 is effective to causethe main body member 13 to rotate in the direction of the arrow 25, asshown in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

Tubular housing means 27 is included for receiving the motor 17. Thehousing 27 constitutes a handle vto facilitate manipulation of the combby the user, e.g., a beauty operator or the like. The handle or housing27, being formed from plastic or the like, may optionally include theusual ridges and depressions (not shown) typical with various handles toreadily adapt the handle 27 to the hand of the user in a manner obviousto those skilled in the art.

Particular attention is now directed to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawingswherein it may be seen that each of the teeth respectively have proximaland distal ends 29, 31 thereto. Further, an important feature of thecomb 1 1 of the present invention is the sweepback or arcuate profile ofthe teeth 15. More specifically, the proximal ends 29 of the teeth 15are attached to the main body member 13 in such a manner that the distalends 31 thereof trail the proximal ends 29 a predetermined distance asthe cylinder 13 rotates in the direction of the arrow 25.

The teasing comb 11 of'the present invention is intended to be used by'abeauty operator or the like by placing the comb 11 adjacent a pluralityof strands of hair as depicted in FIG. 3 of the drawings and characterreferenced therein by the numeral 33. Rotating the main body member 13,in the direction of the arrow 25 by the motor 17, is effective to causethe respective rows of teeth 15, 15, 15" to engage the strands of hair33 and to disengage the strands of hair with each rotation of the mainbody member 13.

From FIG. 3 of the drawings, it may be seen that only one row of teethengages the strands of hair 33 at any one time. In other words, the row15 is shown in phantom, slipping free from the strands of hair 33 as thesecond row 15' is about to engage the strands of hair 33, etc. However,it should be noted that as the teeth 15 leave the taut strands of hair33, a few of the strands are carried therewith in the typical teasingmanner, as depicted by the numeral 33'. The scalp for the hair 33 isshown as at 35 and the beauty operator holds the strands of hair 33 tautwhile placing the comb ll adjacent thereto and moving the comb 11 in thedirection of an arrow 37 or towards the scalp 35. In this regard, itshould be understood that the strands of hair 33 may be held vertically,as shown, or horizontally. Additionally, the comb 11 may be placedadjacent the strands of hair 33 so as to comb them from above ratherthan from beneath, i.e., known as French lacing.

Another important feature of the comb 11 is the relative size of theteeth 15 with respect to the main body members 13. More specifically, inthe preferred embodiment of the comb 11, the dimensionallength of theradius of the cylinder-like main body member 13 is greater than is thelength of the teeth 15. This feature keeps the hair 33 from wrappingaround the main body member 13 or becoming tangled into the comb 11. Inother words, the comb 11 is just like manually using a straight comb foraccomplishing the teasing process, i. e., the curvature or sweepback ofthe teeth 15 allows them to slip gently from the strands of taut hair33. In this regard, it should be pointed out that the rpm of the mainbody member 13 should not be excessive. Therefore, a typical arrangementwould cause approximately 200 strokes per minute or about 66 rpm of themain body member 13.

The main body member 13 and the teeth 15 preferably are integrallyformed from plastic in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. Theteeth 15 preferably are relatively stiff and unyielding to the pull ofthe hair as the cylinder or main body member 13 rotates.

From FIG. 4 of the drawings, it may be seen that a second embodiment ofthe main body member is disclosed, being character referenced therein bythe numeral 213. The member 213 includes at least four rows of teeth asshown by the numerals 2150, 215b, 2150, and 2150!. It should be notedthat the distal ends of the teeth 215a, 215b,, 2150, and 215d are closerto the main body member 213 than are those of the principal embodiment.

From FIG. 5 of the drawings, it may be seen that a third embodiment ofthe main body member is disclosed and is character referenced therein bythe numeral 313. The member 313 includes at least four rows of teeth asshown by the numerals 315a, 315b, 3150, and 315d. It should be notedthat the distal ends of the teeth 3150, 315b, 3150, and 315d are closerto the main body member 313 than are those of the principal embodimentor the second embodiment.

Particular attention is now directed towards FIGS. 6 10 of the drawingswherein it may be seen that a fourth embodiment of the main body memberis disclosed and is character referenced therein by the numeral 413. Inaddition, an alternate embodiment of the comb is disclosed and ischaracter referenced in FIG. 6 of the drawings by the numeral 411. Themember 413 includes several rows of primary teeth as shown by thenumerals 415a 415L alternately spaced by several rows of secondary teeth418a 4181,. It should be noted that the primary teeth 415a 415L have acurved profile somewhat resembling a boomerang. In other words, theproximal ends 429 are disposed along an extension of a radius of thecylinder 413 and the distal ends 431 are swept back rather abruptly fromthe intermediate portions thereof, whereby the respective terminithereof trail the proximal ends by a greater distance than do the distalends 31 of the teeth 15 of the principal embodiment.

The secondary rows of teeth are disposed in substantial parallelarrangement with the primary rows of teeth. However, from FIG. 8 of thedrawings, it may be seen that the secondary teeth 418a 418L arestaggered with respect to the primary teeth 415a 4151,. From FIGS. 7, 9and 10 of the drawings, it may be seen that the secondary teeth 418a418L are much shorter than are the primary teeth 415a 415L and aredisposed along an extension of a radius of the cylinder 413. Referringto FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 7 of the drawings wherein it can be observed thatthe teeth 15, 215, 315 and 415 have substantially equal length theretobut are shaped differently, as depicted, or are attached to theirrespective main body members 13, 213, 313, 413 with unique pitch angles.From FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings, it may be seen that the distal ends431 extend a distance above the adjacent row of secondary teeth or thedistal ends of the primary teeth 415a intersect a' plane lyingcoincident with the longitudinal axes of the secondary teeth 418a, etc..

The main body member 413 preferably is intended to constitute a part ofthe comb 411 and the remaining disclosure will be directed toward thatend; however, it should be understood that the main body member 413 mayoptionally be interchanged with any of the previously described mainbody members and vice versa.

The comb 411 includes handle 427 which is fixedly attached to thecylindrical main body member 413. Ac-

tually, it may be desirable that the comb 411 be integrally formed, thatis, the main body member 413, the primary teeth 415a 41SL, the secondaryteeth 418a 418L and the handle 427 being integrally formed from plasticor the like in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. In anyevent, the primary teeth 415a 41SL and the secondary teeth 418a 418L arerelatively stiff and unyielding to the pull of the hair.

In using the comb 41 1, the operator would preferably grasp the handle417 with one hand and grasp several strands of hair 33 with the other,then while holding the strands 33 taut or slightly pulling them awayfrom the scalp 35, he would move the comb toward the scalp 35 or in thedirection of the arrow 437 while a plurality of the primary andsecondary teeth 415, 418 simultaneously engage several strands of thehair 33. In this manner, a few of the strands, as depicted by thenumeral 33' are teased or lifted from the taut strands 33 in a wellknown fashion. In other words, the comb 411 is used in a manner verysimilar to a standard straight comb except the comb 411 accomplishes thetask in considerably less time and also the operator experiences lessfatigue since fewer strokes are required.

On the other hand, the operator may further enhance the advantages ofthe comb 411 by turning the handle 427 and the main body member 413 inthe direction of the arrow 425 while moving the comb 411 in like manneras just described, that is, in the direction of the arrow 437, etc.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respectto preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that it is notto be so limited since changes and modifications may be made thereinwhich are within the full intended scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A teasing comb for teasing hair during the preparation of a coiffure,said teasing comb comprising cylinder means including a plurality ofcoacting first, sec- 0nd, and third symmetrically arranged rows ofprimary teeth projecting radially therefrom for sequentially engagingthe hair, and a handle attached to said cylinder means to facilitateturning said cylinder means in a predetermined direction of rotationabout the longitudinal axis thereof as said comb iscaused to passthrough the hair, each of said primary teeth having proximal and distalends thereto and having an arcuate profile with the proximal endsthereof being attached to said cylinder means respectively establishingconvex forward directed portions and concave rearward directed portionsthereto, the distal ends of said first row of primary teeth beingdirected generally towards said convex forward portions of said secondrow of primary teeth, the distal ends of said second row of primaryteeth being directed generally towards said convex forward portions ofsaid third row of primary teeth, the' distal ends of said third row ofprimary teeth being directed generally towards said convex forwardportions of said first row of primary teeth, and the distal ends of eachof said primary teeth trailing said proximal ends, said convex forwardportions of each of said primary teeth initially encountering the hairand the distal ends thereof being the last portions of each of saidprimary teeth to become disengaged therefrom regardless of in which ofsaid rows said primary teeth may be situated as said cylinder means iscaused to turn about the longitudinal axis thereof. I

2. The comb of claim 1 in which the dimensional length of the radius ofsaid cylinder means is greater than the length of said primary teeth.

3. The comb of claim 1 in which said cylinder means including said teethare integrally formed from plastic, said teeth being relatively stiffand unyielding to the pull of the hair.

4. The comb of claim 1 in which said handle is fixedl attached to saidcylinder means.

5. The comb of claim 1 in which is included motor means attached to saidcylinder means for selectively rotating said cylinder means about thelongitudinal axis thereof whereby placing said comb adjacent a pluralityof strands of hair being effective to cause said row of primary teeth toengage the strands of hair and to disengage the strands of hair witheach rotation thereof.

6. The comb of claim 5 in which said handle constitutes housing meansfor receiving said motor means.

7. The comb of claim I in which is included at least one row ofsecondary teeth for each of said rows of primary teeth, said secondaryteeth projecting radially from said cylinder means for engaging thehair, said secondary row of teeth being disposed in substantial parallelarrangement with said primary row of teeth and with said secondary teethbeing staggered with respect to said primary teeth, and each of saidsecondary teeth being relatively short with respect to said primaryteeth and disposed along an extension of a radius of said cylindermeans.

8. The comb of claim 7 in which said handle and said cylinder meansincluding said primary and secondary teeth are integrally formed fromplastic, said primary and secondary teeth being relatively stiff andunyielding to the pull of the hair.

1. A teasing comb for teasing hair during the preparation of a coiffure,said teasing comb comprising cylinder means including a plurality ofcoacting first, second, and third symmetrically arranged rows of primaryteeth projecting radially therefrom for sequentially engaging the hair,and a handle attached to said cylinder means to facilitate turning saidcylinder means in a predetermined direction of rotation about thelongitudinal axis thereof as said comb is caused to pass through thehair, each of said primary teeth having proximal and distal ends theretoand having an arcuate profile with the proximal ends thereof beingattached to said cylinder means respectively establishing convex forwarddirected portions and concave rearward directed portions thereto, thedistal ends of said first row of primary teeth being directed generallytowards said convex forward portions of said second row of primaryteeth, the distal ends of said second row of primary teeth beingdirected generally towards said convex forward portions of said thirdrow of primary teeth, the distal ends of said third row of primary teethbeing directed generally towards said convex forward portions of saidfirst row of primary teeth, and the distal ends of each of said primaryteeth trailing said proximal ends, said convex forward portions of eachof said primary teeth initially encountering the hair and the distalends thereof being the last portions of each of said primary teeth tobecome disengaged therefrom regardless of in which of said rows saidprimary teeth may be situated as said cylinder means is caused to turnabout the longitudinal axis thereof.
 2. The comb of claim 1 in which thedimensional length of the radius of said cylinder means is greater thanthe length of said primary teeth.
 3. The comb of claim 1 in which saidcylinder means including said teeth are integrally formed from plastic,said teeth being relatively stiff and unyielding to the pull of thehair.
 4. The comb of claim 1 in which said handle is fixedly attached tosaid cylinder means.
 5. The comb of claim 1 in which is included motormeans attached to said cylinder means for selectively rotating saidcylinder means about the longitudinal axis thereof whereby placing saidcomb adjacent a plurality of strands of hair being effective to causesaid row of primary teeth to engage the strands of hair and to disengagethe strands of hair with each rotation thereof.
 6. The comb of claim 5in which said handle constitutes housing means for receiving said motormeans.
 7. The comb of claim 1 in which is included at least one row ofsecondary teeth for each of said rows of primary teeth, said secondaryteeth projecting radially from said cylinder means for engaging thehair, said secondary row of teeth being disposed in substantial parallelarrangement with said primary row of teeth and with said secondary teethbeing staggered with respect to said primary teeth, and each of saidsecoNdary teeth being relatively short with respect to said primaryteeth and disposed along an extension of a radius of said cylindermeans.
 8. The comb of claim 7 in which said handle and said cylindermeans including said primary and secondary teeth are integrally formedfrom plastic, said primary and secondary teeth being relatively stiffand unyielding to the pull of the hair.